February 5, 2026 — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a formal apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, admitting a grave error in judgment for appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK’s Ambassador to the United States.
The Prime Minister’s statement follows a week of explosive revelations from newly released U.S. Department of Justice documents, which suggest a far more intimate and financially entangled relationship between Mandelson and the late sex offender than was previously disclosed.
Key Revelations and Allegations
The scandal, which has been described by some as one of the most significant in modern British political history, centers on several key findings in the "Epstein Files":
Financial Ties: Bank records appear to show payments totaling $75,000 made by Epstein to accounts linked to Mandelson and his partner between 2003 and 2004.
Misconduct in Public Office: The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Mandelson leaked market-sensitive government information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis while serving as Business Secretary.
Vetting Failures: While Starmer initially claimed he was unaware of the "depth and darkness" of the pair's relationship, he recently admitted in Parliament that the 2024 vetting process did highlight an ongoing friendship post-Epstein’s 2008 conviction.
"I Am Sorry" Speaking in Hastings, a visibly somber Prime Minister directly addressed those harmed by Epstein’s crimes:
"I am sorry—sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you. Sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now you're forced to watch this story unfold in public once again."
Starmer maintained that Mandelson "repeatedly lied" to his team during the appointment process, portraying Epstein as a casual acquaintance. Mandelson was sacked from his ambassadorial post in September 2025 after initial emails surfaced, but the latest tranche of documents has reignited calls for deeper accountability.
Political Fallout The Prime Minister is currently facing a "perfect storm" of political pressure:
Internal Rebellion: Several Labour MPs, including Rachael Maskell and Paula Barker, have called his position "untenable," citing a catastrophic failure of judgment.
Opposition Pressure: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the PM of ignoring security advice, while the Liberal Democrats are pushing for a confidence vote.
Peerage Removal: The government has confirmed it is drafting legislation to strip Mandelson of his life peerage and has already removed him from the Privy Council.
Lord Mandelson, who recently resigned his membership from both the Labour Party and the House of Lords, has denied any criminal wrongdoing and stated he has "no record or recollection" of the alleged payments.
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